Criteria for Advanced Training and Volunteer Service 

All Advanced Training and Volunteer Service, unless executed through programs or projects pre-approved by the Chapter Board of Directors, must be submitted in writing (please use form) to the Volunteer/Advanced Training Chairperson and approved before hours are accumulated. Programs and projects, which meet the criteria of the Galveston Bay Area, presented by state or local sponsors and partners (see below) are automatically approved.

• Texas Cooperative Extension
• Texas Parks and Wildlife - TPWD
• Texas A & M Sea Grant Program
• Armand Bayou Nature Center – ABNC
• The Nature Conservancy of Texas ( Texas City Prairie Preserve) – TCPP
• College of the Mainland – COM
• County of Galveston – GALV CO
• Gulf Coast Chapter Texas Master Naturalist
• Cradle of Texas Chapter Texas Master Naturalist
• Galveston Bay Foundation

Volunteer Service

Volunteer service should provide a service to the community through education, conservation, preservation and restoration of our natural resources in the Galveston Bay Area and surrounding areas. Volunteer service must be dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas.

• Preparation time for activities or presentations may count toward volunteer service hours.
• Travel time is considered as part of volunteer service.
• Volunteer service time may not be counted for any project that is required by the terms of your employment or for which compensation is given.

Advanced Training

Advanced training should provide specialized instruction or experiences that further knowledge and comprehension. Advanced training on a subject presented in a Texas Master Naturalist training class should provide more in-depth material or a different perspective on the subject.

Advance training opportunities must meet the following criteria:

• Promote continued learning and development of naturalist skills.
• Provide Master Naturalists with knowledge and skills to work in volunteer efforts.
• Provide Master Naturalists an opportunity to focus their interest on one or a few specific topics.
• Build on the core curriculum initially provided by the local chapter.
• Be applicable to Texas and its natural resource management issues.

Watching an educational TV program, movie or video on a naturalist subject does not count as advanced training except when viewed during the course of an approved lecture or training program.

Pre-approval is needed before attending another chapter’s basic training class.

Advanced training may be in any of the following naturalist (or closely related) fields:

• Archeology
• Astronomy
• Botany – as it pertains to native plants
• Climate and Weather
• Conservation and Environmental Issues
• Earth Sciences
• Ecology
• Ecosystems
• Endangered Species
• Geology – as relates to ecosystems
• Geography
• Habitat management and/or restoration
• Hydrology
• Natural History
• Soil – as it pertains to habitat or as a natural resource
• Water – as it pertains to habitat or a natural resource

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Galveston Bay Area Chapter Texas Master Naturalist

Extension programs serve people of all ages, regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

c/oTexas Cooperative Extension 5115 Highway 3 Dickinson, TX 77539-6831 info@gbamasternaturalist.org